Charities in the Channel Islands praise King Charles for publicly announcing cancer diagnosis

• ITV Channel's Alex Spiceley reports on the King's announcement and initial reaction across both Bailiwicks

Charities in the Channel Islands are praising King Charles III for publicly announcing his cancer diagnosis.

A statement from Buckingham Palace on Monday 5 February revealed that His Majesty has been diagnosed with cancer and will be stepping back from public-facing duties.

Lorna Pirozzolo, a cancer patient and the founder of the online Jersey forum Cancer.JE, says the King's decision to be transparent will raise awareness and hopes it can encourage others to get potentially life-saving check-ups.

• Jersey cancer patient Lorna Pirozzolo hopes the King's openness towards his diagnosis will help to raise awareness

Lorna says: "I think as the first person with his profile to really speak out about what's going on in his life in such a personal way is important.

"The Palace hasn't tended to do that before, so I think it is really important and I hope it encourages other men to take it more seriously and they should go see their doctor if they have any symptoms."

She adds His Majesty's diagnosis shows that cancer can affect anyone.

Lorna explains: "It's not just about people who are living in poverty or people who have a bad diet or are overweight or smoke, it really is anybody and I think that is a really important message to come out of this.

"For men in general it is probably going to do what Kylie [Minogue] and Jade Goody did for women's cancers."

Their candidness in talking about their cancer diagnoses led to many more women getting checked.